Meet Courtney Stanley of Courtney Stanley Consulting

Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Stanley. 

Hi Courtney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After studying international tourism, business hospitality, and event management at Central Michigan University, I stepped into the world with the intention of becoming a top-tier entertainment events producer. In my first few years post-graduation, I spent time working at the Country Music Association in Nashville, an events agency in Boston, and an event technology startup in Toronto, and finally, a political environmental nonprofit in Grand Rapids. In those formative years of my career, I stumbled upon a fierce passion for mentoring others and taking the stage as a speaker to share lessons learned and knowledge gained. Unintentionally, I grew that passion into a number of side hustles, which eventually led to a fork in the road: continue working full-time for an employer while side-hustling, or take the leap of faith as a full-time entrepreneur and business owner. 

I decided to take the leap. I launched my full-time entrepreneurial venture at the end of 2019 as a motivational speaker, event emcee, podcaster, and business coach, and though the timing of the pandemic was not on my side, I am now in my third year of business, and very much continuing to invest and grow on this chosen path. Entrepreneurship is all about a willingness to take risks that may very well end in failure, and if/when you fail, flexing your comeback muscles to build resilience, grit, and success. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can’t help but smile when I hear this question. My career journey has been quite the tumultuous ride, but success tastes so much better when you work really hard to earn it.

In short, I lost my first job. I also lost my second job. I didn’t lose my third job, but I did resign in order to launch a business that depends on people coming together in person for conferences… and then the pandemic shut down the entire live events industry.

Due to the rocky road that I have experienced throughout my career, I have learned to address challenges like managing anxiety, building self-confidence after you lose your sense of value, leaning into tough conversations and confrontation, setting boundaries, and advocating for yourself.

I’m a firm believer that some of life’s most painful experiences not only teach us many of our most important lessons, but these experiences can also be transformed into the values and beliefs that we become most passionate about. Turning pain into purpose and purpose into power has not only been a huge driver of continuing to do work that I find meaningful, but it has also become the foundation of many of my motivational speeches, business coaching sessions, and podcast episodes.

If my road had been smooth, I wouldn’t have been forced to grow. I’m grateful for the growth and I’m humbled by the ride.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a motivational speaker, event emcee, business coach, and host of the women-inspired podcast, Dare to Interrupt. I have spent more than 10 years helping ambitious professionals, entrepreneurs and organizations engage in game-changing, impactful conversations that empower individuals to tap into their true potential, improve team and culture dynamics, and drive meaningful change. Personally, I am most proud of my work to prevent sexual harassment and assault at conferences and events through the launch of a micro-social movement, #MeetingsToo.

With a degree from Central Michigan University in experience design, leadership studies, and business hospitality, I create content and facilitate conversations that encourage people from all walks of life to lean fiercely into the power of leading with empathy, building self-confidence, advocating for themselves and others, and seizing life’s “silver lining” opportunities to grow personally and professionally. My mission is to empower professionals to be the healthiest, most confident versions of themselves by creating and facilitating vulnerable, meaningful dialogue, whether that’s in the form of a keynote presentation, an interview, or a business coaching session.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.courtney-stanley.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyonstage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtneyonstage
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/courtneyonstage
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F82Pf8iLmCM

Image Credits
Christie’s Photographic Solutions
MYTO Studios
EPNAC